Brassiere



July 27, 1948. w. s. DICKERSON BRASSIERE Filed Oct. 5, V 1945 iii/ways Patented July 27, 1948 UNITED BRAssIERE Winifred S. Dickerson, Atlanta, Ga., assignor of one-half to J. Edward Dickerson, Atlanta, Ga.

Application October 5, 1945, Serial No. 620,590

2 Claims.

ports therefor, and it is an object of this invention to provide a novel brassiere construction supported by resilient clasping members extending laterally from the brassiere construction and defining return bends approaching each other to embrace the body of the wearer.

It is an object of this invention to make a brassiere in sections preferably of plastic material articulately connected together to facilitate the application of the brassiere to the body of the wearer.

It is an object of this invention to provide a brassiere made of molded plastic material, molded in sections and then pivotally connected or hinged together to facilitate the application of the brassiere to the body of the wearer.

Other objects and advantages will be revealed in the detailed description of the accompanying drawing which constitutes a part of this specification.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of my novel brassiere.

Figure 2 is a rear elevational view of the same.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the same.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 44 of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a channelshaped locking clip.

In the drawings and specification, the reference characters identify the parts, portions and essential details of my new brassiere.

The drawings are merely illustrative and not definitive of my novel concept, except as set forth in the structure herein claimed.

The brassiere l is preferably made up in sections 2 and 3 articulately or pivotally connected or hinged together, as indicated at 4. Each section is made of sheet material defining a substantially conoidal cavity 5 adapted to substantially fit over a human breast and to embrace the same for maintaining it in a desired normal position.

Each section is provided with a resilient curved tapered clasping member 6 projecting outwardly rearwadly and then inwardly from its outermost edge portion and defining a curved body-embracing clasp. The sections are preferably connected together by a hinge construction 4 having interfitting bored ears 1, 8, 9, In, etc., receiving a pintle l I having articulate connection with a flat strip l2. The strip I2 is provided with a snapover hook l3 resiliently supported thereon.

A channel-shaped clasp I4 is pivotally connected to one section by a bolt or rivet l5. The channel-shaped clasp I4 is provided with a slot or notch [6 to provide for a swinging movement of substantially or more.

Although it is preferable to construct the device of plastic material, it may be made of thin stainless steel or the like and painted or coated any color tint desired.

It is also desired that the device be suitably perforated for ventilation purposes.

When the device is made of plastic material such as cellulose nitrate, cellulose acetate, vinyl resin, etc., the plastic material is colored any tint or shade, desired.

The plastic material may be molded or cast into the desired shape. It may also be made from thermo-plastic sheet material by a pressure process with the aid of heat.

No matter what the material used may be, it

must possess the quality of elasticity, resiliency and substantial permanency of shape when not under stress or strain of applying or wearing it.

It is essential that the clasping members 6 be yieldable in a manner not to grip or clasp the body of the wearer too tightly, but on the other hand, the members 6 must effectively maintain the brassiere in proper position on the persons body wearing the same. The breathing functions should not be hampered by the members 6.

The device may be lined with cotton, felt or the like to enhance the feeling of a comfortably fitted and supported brassire.

In the operation of the brassiere, the strip 12 and the hook l3 are released from their clasping effect upon the hinge 4 and the channel clasp I4, and now the clasp I4 is swung to an open position on its section, thereby releasing the other section therefrom for freely swinging movement. When in this free hinging or swinging condition, the device is applied to the body and the members 6 brought into yieldable clasping and embracing relation to the body of the wearer. The channel clasp is now swung to embrace the edge of the other section and the pintle II and finally the strip [2 and its hook I3 is snapped over the channel clasp and firmly secures it in place. The strip l2 when in locked position conceTals the hinge from a front View.

I claim:

1. A brassiere and supporting means therefor consisting of two main portions, each portion comprising a hollow substantially conoidal member, a resilient curved tapered clasping member integrally formed with said conoidal member and extending outwardly, rearwardly and then inwardly from the outermost edge portion of the main brassiere portion, and a plurality of ears extending inwardly from the inner edge of each of said main portions, the ears on one main portion being interfitting with the ears on the other portion and a lpintle extending through a bore in theinterfitting ears, and. thereby .hingedly connecting; the two main portions, and a channel-shaped clasp pivotally connected to the innermost edge portion of one of the main portions and adapted to engage the adjacent innermost edge portion of the other main portion-to prevent hinge movement of the two .brassiere portions in relation to eachother.

2. A brassiere and supporting means therefor consisting of two main portions,-:eachuportion comprising a hollow substantially conoidal member, a resilient curved tapered clasping member integrally formed with said conoidal memher and" extending -outwardlyy'rearwardlyand then inwardly from'the outermost edgr-rportion "of the main brassiere portion, and a plurality of ears extending inwardly" from the inner edge of each of said main portions, the ears'ononemain; 5- 3 portion .(ofthe othermain portion to prevent ,hinge movement of the two :brassiere portions in relation to each other, a strip hingedly connected with the pintle and a snap hook on said strip adapted to engage the channel-shaped clasp and to secure it in working position.

WINIFRED S. DICKERSON.

REFERENCES CITED The'followingreferences are of record in the o file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name I Date 1 457,012 Roberts ;--A-ug-. 411891 810,729 -Dean'e Uan 23er906 1,098g638 Rees -'-June' 2; -1914 Hill -Dec.-25, 1945 

